Stating the obvious: The less paper you have to deal with, the easier it is to work virtually. Creating a workspace at home is easy if you have embraced technology.
People are commuting less and with that, the air quality has improved tremendously. Many companies are embracing the new normal of employees working comfortably from their own home. So are you ready?
If you have the luxury of having a designated office space in your home, you are lucky! Studies show that the majority of people working from home are struggling to carve out a space to set up a desk.
Some even noted that they have worked from their own bed. If you need to create a space for your work in your home, here are some viable options to consider.
Find a desk, even a small one, to isolate your work environment
First, you need a desk. Simple writing desks are readily available from a number of retailers in a wide range of prices. Small desks are great because they are unobtrusive and fit into almost any design esthetic. They are also flexible enough to double as a table when not in use as your home office!
By the way, gone are the days of the oversize executive desks with a mile-long return and overhead hutch. That almost seems absurd. A simple, 24″ x 48″ writing desk is more than adequate for a workspace as shown in the photo below.
Image by Elvis via pexels
Declutter! Declutter! Declutter!
Once you have decided on your desk, it is time to declutter.
I sound like a broken record, I know. Working from home is impossible if you cannot complete a day’s work without large binders of reference material or mounds of reports. If you are bound to work from home, you must strive to become as paperless as possible.
Take advantage of cloud storage and online reference materials instead of pulling out rapidly outdated printed material.
If you are using a small space to conduct business, attempt to embrace technology to help eliminate the need for bulky binders and excess paper. Along with cloud storage, Google Drive is an excellent platform for shared workspaces. Not only can you store your files, but you can work on them inside the platform without printing the documents. No wasted paper!
The concept of a file cabinet with pieces of paper inside of it is rapidly becoming a thing of the past.
Having one piece of paper that could be lost or take hours to try to find seems almost ridiculous. It could be damaged either in a flood, a fire, or just dampness of the climate. It can also be misfiled, attached to another document, or just plain lost. Documents in a cloud can be found in seconds via the search bar.
Scanning into a cloud versus paper filing allows you the freedom to access documents quickly. Reproducing them is as quick as hitting a print button.
Finally, consider the amount of office space you can clear out by eliminating the need to store files for years at a time!
Eliminate Distractions
Aside from cleanliness, simplified workspaces are key in keeping our heads focused on the tasks at hand without distraction.
We are all interrupted hourly (if not more) by social media and ongoing news channels, aside from everyday noise. Keeping up with the latest headline or controversial conversation pulls our heads out of our work and interrupts our day. When there are less distractions around you, the focus remains clear.
Working at a clean, clear, unobstructed space no matter how small is a must!
Another distraction to think about with your workspace, is your background for web calls.
Zoom meetings are the main way of communicating with a work-from-home environment, so consider what is behind you! If possible, create a beautiful space that will be visible to your clients and co-workers. At the very least, consider a blank wall for an easy, low-distraction backdrop.
Image by Avel Chuklanov via unsplash
All in all, a home workspace doesn’t require a full room or office in your home. It just needs to be a quiet space and clear of distractions.
If paperwork and piles of reference material are a distraction, you know where to start! A simple and stylish desk can be located in your kitchen or living room for sure. If you must have a centrally located desk, take these steps to design your own quiet space to get your work done efficiently.
I hope you find these tips helpful and you are able to carve out your own home office space. As always, if you need assistance with organizing your life, please contact me. I would love to connect!
